Now with his re-breather firmly on his face and his camoleoline cloak wrapped around him, Attelus knelt on a tree branch, a good twenty metres above the forest floor and watched the Sororitas Coven through his scope. It was about two kilometres away and sat atop a man-made plateau raised four hundred and fifty metres high, which loomed over the forest around like some god towering above its peons and a fitting metaphor for humanity's foolish belief that it is above nature. It seemed fitting for the arrogance of those in the Ecclesiarchy.
On the edges of the vertical elevation was a thick stone wall, or what seemed like a stone wall; Attelus couldn't help feel it was reinforced with adamantium rods and rockcrete. That was about five metres high, but he couldn't make out how thick they were at this low angle, but he could at tomes glimpse the three Sisters of Battle patrolling its top in their iconic crimson with white lining armour. The place was run by the Order of the Sacred Journey, an order dedicated to Saint Drusus, a fact that'd been easy as frig to find in his research, but anything else about the damned place was tough to get. Attelus didn't know whether that had been by design or not; Jelcine Enandra was a member of the Ordo Hereticus, so such information should've been in her databanks.
Towering behind that wall wasn't what Attelus would describe as a convent but a frigging cathedral. Standing at least thirty metres tall, the Gothic building was so large it must've left very little room for the space between the building and the wall, leaving its defences much to be desired. That, and the stained glass windows which rose above the wall for another seven metres at least. Attelus supposed their "faith" would allow them to have such windows without worry.
And the shear as frig cliff faces leading up to it, Attelus wasn't looking forward to frigging climbing up that at all. That was the only was of egress he could see from here, at least.
But there was, running up to the plateau from the west, was a thin, winding road that was about twenty degrees steep. Attelus didn't dare try that; the frigging over-zealous Sisters would be watching that like it was a road leading to the Eye of Terror itself.
Attelus sighed and lowered his scope. He couldn't help feel the plateau would likely have some secret entrance to a passage that'd lead up to the convent itself, but even with his enhanced senses, it could take days to find it, and days he didn't have, assuming there was one, anyway. He also wondered if that secret passage might connect to those strange, classified tunnels underground as well.
In all honesty, he hadn't met a member of the Adepta Sororitas before despite working for the Ordo Hereticus. He dreaded interacting with them even more than he dreaded having to climb that cliff.
That's assuming he wasn't shot on sight the split-second he gets caught, of course. Attelus would be deemed a heretic in their eyes even if he wasn't just an intruder.
Even if he was a Throne Agent of the Ordo Hereticus.
His thoughts whirled back to his communication with Arlathan and wondered if the Interrogator's decision not to call the Inquisitor was a good idea, in all honesty. Arlathan said it was because the evidence wasn't strong enough yet, and paranoia for their call being detected by the local authorities. Attelus thought it was also a pride thing for Arlathan; he was afraid Enandra would take over the investigation.
If it weren't for the visor of his re-breather, Attelus would've rubbed his tired eyes. After his encounter with the damned Bark Snake a day ago, his sleep had been fitful. He could sleep and keep his wits about him, but the dreams still plagued him. The faces of the men and women of the Elbyran contingent, both those he'd killed and those who died battling through Kelitia at the whim of him and the Inquisition. Attelus always had a terrible memory for names, but faces he remembered will. Too well, perhaps. At times, in the corner of his eye, he'd catch the rotting corpse of Inquisitor Edracian watching him, but when he tried to turn to it, it'd disappear. Attelus
With another sigh, Attelus began to climb down toward the forest floor. Climbing trees was something he was good at, but climbing that cliff was another thing entirely.
He just hoped they wouldn't regret not reporting this.
'So, that's Quorasita,' said Arlathan as they watched the capital city dominate the huge valley below. Surrounded by a sea of threes lay stacks upon stacks spread over kilometres of clay hab buildings and commercia complexes, churches and all sorts of other places all connected to each other via ceramic bridges wide enough for two-lane roads and walkways. This surrounded four one kilometre wide, by five kilometre long rockcrete boulevards that had statues of saints and Imperial warriors either praying or standing in glorious victory all thirty metres tall. The boulevards led to a tremendous gothic cathedral, which also served as the governmental and administrative bases. A true intermingling of Church and State, managed to loom above the urban stacks around it. It seemed the stacks of habs were made as a wall to protect that place, covered in gargoyles and statues from attackers. Having the Imperial citizens as sacrificial lambs to defend the faith of the Imperial Cult.
Just like the Imperium of Mankind itself.
Both Attelus Kaltos and his master had more in common than Arlathan had with either of them. Arlathan couldn't help wonder what Attelus would think of the city. Attelus would surely hate it, thinking it a gaudy, excessive "overly ostentatious" ugly thing; that was some kind of metaphor for the Ecclesiarchy's self-righteous, self-serving attitude that the resources that went into its making could have been used for something else more important. Arlathan knew Enandra would more than agree with that sentiment. Arlathan was largely apathetic toward it. He held no love for the Imperial Cult and its hold on Imperial society, but he'd accepted that was how the Imperium worked a long time ago and getting angry about it was pointless.
'I've seen some things in my time,' said Tathe. 'But I've got to say that place is pretty damned impressive.'
'Indeed,' said Karmen. 'I read about it and saw picts, but they didn't live up to it. A true testament to the power of humanity and the Imperium of Mankind itself.'
'Seems like a frigging eyesore to me,' said Dellenger as he just suddenly seemed to materialise in front of them, making everyone, even Karmen, jump. 'But I'm just some foot slogging peon, so no one cares what I think.'
'You know that's not true,' said Tathe with a smile.
Dellenger's gaze snapped to the former Commissar. 'I know it is true, and you do too.'
The scout's ancient eyes went back to Arlathan, and Arlathan had to fight from looking away. 'We found a good place for a headquarters, in the southwest mid stacks, part of a recently abandoned hab block that still has power. It isn't in too bad of a condition. Running water, all that good stuff.'
Dellenger then looked at Vex, who didn't manage to keep himself from looking to the ground.
'No access to the local network, I'm afraid, though,' said Dellenger.
'I thought so,' said Vex as he twisted a pinky finger in his ear and frowned, probably frowning because it was Dellenger who came back to report rather than Delathasi. 'We'll have to probably infiltrate the cathedral to plant a device that'll allow me to access it wirelessly. Also, my cogitator, while it is designed to not use much power, the sudden power increase of its usage in an abandoned hab-block might draw some unwanted attention.'
Arlathan nodded. 'We've got sun chargers, so we'll only use the local power if necessary, but it's good to have local power, just in case. Good work, Dellenger, lead the way.'
Arlathan tried to hide his joy at finally escaping this horrid forest and into civilisation, but he knew he was failing miserably. He just hoped his enthusiasm might rub off on the rest of his crew. They all seemed dour and exhausted, with the exception of Tathe, Dellenger and Kalakor, of course.
Frigging bastards.
Enandra had decided she would have Hayden come to her rather than go to him. The exceedingly handsome man sat across from her desk. Two Stormtroopers stood right behind him and at his flanks while Hadrel and another five Stormtroopers lurked on the right side, watching Hayden. Selva, as usual, sulked alongside them.
'Throne Agent, Hayden Tresch,' she said. 'You have been an excellent employee.'
Hayden pursed his lips, a decidedly childish look for such a mature man; he'd refused to meet her gaze since he'd entered her quarters a few minutes ago. 'Yeah, yeah, I know. That's why I shouldn't be cooped up here instead of doing something useful.'
Enandra shrugged, although it was a bit hard while being in her power armour. Even weaponless, someone like Hayden Tresch was not to be underestimated. 'Your humility shames us all, Tresch. What happened back at Sarkeath?'
Hayden sneered, contorting his good looks into something almost hideous. 'Why do you care? Attelus Kaltos, I'm sure, has given his own skewed version of those events-'
'Yes, he did,' said Enandra, growling the syllables through her clenched teeth. 'And believe it or not, Hayden Tresch, he himself was the most critical of his leadership during the entire operation, almost demanding I take him from leadership duties. Which I did, somewhat.'
Hayden shrugged. 'All I did was perform my duties the best I can, which is far and above anyone else in this organisation. I made no mistakes, unlike Attelus Kaltos. I did what I saw was right. That's all.'
'That including murdering Imperial citizens at the behest of a heretic?'
Finally, Hayden's eyes met hers, and he smirked, 'I am glad you didn't call them "innocent" Imperial citizens.'
Enandra couldn't help roll her eyes. 'Whether you are gladdened or not by my verbiage is immaterial. I do not adhere to that saying many others religiously adhere to: "Innocence Proves Nothing" I just neglected to use that word as I cannot, honestly, make such a claim as I was not there.'
Hayden shrugged again, like a sulking child or like Vex Carpompter. 'What exactly did Attelus Kaltos and the others tell you in their report?'
It was Enandra's turn to purse her lips, unprepared for his bluntness, and considered telling him; she knew that Attelus and the others had held things back, and maybe Hayden would inform her more truthfully. But she quickly decided it would be pointless; surely Karmen Kons would've manipulated his memories to make him believe the same things as the rest. Sometimes, Enandra regretted employing such a powerful and skilled psyker with such a penchant for dodgy mental manipulations.
'No,' said Enandra. 'No, I don't think I will.'
The sniper grimaced and shrugged. 'Oka...alright, then why did you bring me here?'
Enandra raised an eyebrow and lounged back in her chair. 'To ask you questions to allay my...Inquisitive nature, of course. Why were you so keen to kill those civilians?'
It was Hayden's turn to raise an eyebrow. 'So we could go on to finish our mission and to not die a frigging hideous death. It could be interpreted as a mercy by some.' It was either them or all of us.
'Indeed, some would,' said Enandra. 'How did you know that if you killed those people, that General Tathe would have even let you live?'
'I didn't, I suppose,' said Hayden. 'But it didn't matter at the time. I felt, though, he would; it spoke to his desperation to...turn us, I suppose.'
'I see, so you know that the act of killing those people would have been an act of selling you souls to Chaos? Even in the heat of that moment.'
That made Hayden straighten, then black rage coursed across his face as he seemed to realise the corner she'd backed him into; it made Hadrel and the Stormtroopers aim their guns at him while Selva raised a palm.
The rage seemed to fade as quickly as it came, and a sullen frown replaced it, and Hayden's eyes fell.
'If you're going to kill me, just kill me already, please.'
'No, I don't think I will,' said Enandra again, trying to keep a smirk from her face. 'I am glad you admitted that. And why did you lack the belief that Attelus and the others would save you?'
Hayden glared at her. 'His incompetence was laid bare all through that scenario, mamzel Inquisitor. I also believed...that it would be impossible for them to do so. That we were trapped, well and truly.'
'You weren't, though,' said Enandra as she rubbed her eyes and sighed. 'Look, Hayden Tresch, I understand your position, I do, like I understood Attelus' position back on Omnartus, but...'
'But what?'
'But, I don't know, all I know is that you came the closest to any one of the team to losing your soul to the Ruinous Powers, knowingly, it seems as well. I don't know if I can trust you from now on. Maybe I should just have you shot right here and now. Many Inquisitors would, as I am sure you are aware.'
Hayden suddenly slammed his palm on her desk and glared at her. 'Frig it! What about Attelus and the others, he-'
Enandra raised her hand, cutting him short. 'This is not about any of them, just you. It wasn't you who stood against the slaughter of those people; it was Tathe and Dellenger who showed true courage in a no-win situation. It wasn't you who managed to overcome the control of a daemonic weapon to regain themselves and throw it from his grasp! That was Attelus Kaltos! It wasn't you who chose to fight a Bloodthirster to save a comrade; that was Karmen Kons, Marcel Torris, Delathasi, Halsin, Adelana, Delathasi and the dearly departed Jelket, Helma and Verenth! While I do not trust them entirely as well. I have sent them on a...test as we speak. When are you going to admit to your mistake and take responsibility? We all make mistakes; we are all wrong from time to time. Admitting that will be the first step to learning from it and becoming a better person. You aren't perfect. No one is. You must see that. You must see that.'
'It was not a mistake!' Hayden cried. 'The ends justifies the means, doesn't it?'
'Sometimes it does,' said Enandra. 'But not that time. Not that time.'
Hayden said nothing; he just looked at her with wide eyes, his jaw twitching.
Enandra sighed and stroked her face. 'Take him back to his cell, please.'
The two Stormtroopers grabbed Hayden by the shoulders, hauled him to his feet and led him out, and the other five followed.
Selva waved at Enandra to get her attention and, with quick slaps, signed her sentence. The psyker's face was a pinched morass of pale bemused frustration. Selva was one of Enandra's oldest agents, and she knew the psyker's moods well, that and how terribly open and unsubtle she was with them. Enandra also knew exactly what Selva was going to say a long time ago.
'No, I am not going to just execute him,' said Enandra.
Selva grimaced and signed even quicker, so fast that anyone not as familiar as Enandra would find it impossible to follow, even with the simplicity of it.
'Why? Because he's one of my best agents, I believe that everyone deserves a second chance. I had a second chance, didn't I? Didn't you? I must be consistent, and I feel all Hayden Tresch must do is take responsibility for his mistake and-'
The psyker snarled a silent snarl and replied somehow even faster than before.
Enandra rolled her eyes. 'Yes, even when they omit some information from me, as much as it...upsets me, they do so. Now, please gain control of your emotions. You must not lose control over your ability.'
Selva glared at her for a second or two before she stamped her foot and stormed out.
Hadrel shuffled his foot.
'You have something to say, Hadrel?'
Hadrel shrugged. 'It seems you are having problems in your organisation, mamzel.'
'Nothing I cannot handle, thank you.'
'Oh I am sure, but that Attelus Kaltos, is...'
'A huge pain in the arse?'
'That is putting it lightly. Do you...regret taking him into your organisation, mamzel?'
Enandra pursed her lips and pondered on that for a second. 'Yes, I do. Right now, I do, anyway,' she said.
